Disposable multi-liner garbage container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible and disposable garbage container that includes a plurality of liners. The plurality of liners are open, ready for use, and attached to the disposable garbage container. The container is collapsible for ease in transport when new. During use, the container is expanded to define a volume for receiving garbage in the liners. Further, when the liners are used up, the container can be collapsed for subsequent disposal. Text may be provided on a sidewall of the disposable garbage container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/677,111 filed on May 3, 2005 and entitled“DISPOSABLE MULTI-LINER GARBAGE CONTAINER”, and which is incorporatedherewith by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a disposable garbage container that includes aplurality of liners or garbage bags. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a multi-liner garbage container which is able to be foldedinto a compact storage position. The compact storage position providesfor efficient shipping of new garbage containers, as well as disposaland recycling of used garbage containers.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of holders for supporting and holding garbage bags is well knownand widely employed. Currently in the art, garbage containers need to beserviced frequently to replace used liners. Upon removal of garbagefilled liners, a user needs to insert a new liner or garbage bag intothe garbage container. A common practice is to remove a single linerfrom a roll of liners carried by the user and insert the single linerinto a garbage container. Similarly, in a household environment, aspecial event may require extra garbage containers to be dispersed aboutthe household or associated property. For convenience and cost, eitherunsupported and unsightly garbage bags or large plastic trash cans areoften used. Besides being unsightly, an unsupported garbage bag can moreeasily be punctured or tipped over, causing garbage leakage or spillageproblems.

When a garbage container is used without a liner, garbage removal iscumbersome, as the entire garbage container and its contents need to betransported. Further, the inside of the garbage container can becomesoiled and needs to be occasionally cleaned.

To alleviate garbage container cleaning, a liner-less disposablecontainer such as a box is sometimes used. This solution, however, onlyprovides for a one time use. Once the container is filled, the entirecontainer and its contents are disposed of and another garbage containerneeds to be provided. Further, when liners are not used, if the garbagecontents are wet, leaking is often an issue.

A convenient, recyclable, easily maintained and transportable garbagecontainer is often desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient, recyclable, easilymaintained garbage container.

One aspect of the present invention is a disposable garbage containercomprising a support structure with a plurality of liners attachedwithin. In one possible embodiment, the support structure is made of arecyclable cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard, or otherrecyclable material. The support structure includes front, back, sideand bottom panels, some of which contain fold lines to enablecollapsibility of the garbage container. The container can be collapsedor folded into the compact storage position for delivery of new garbagecontainers. The compact storage position is also beneficial forefficient removal and recycling of used garbage containers. In onepossible embodiment, the garbage container, and associated liners, canbe collapsed into the compact storage position by pressing the foldlines in towards the interior of the support structure. In anotherpossible embodiment, the garbage container, and associated liners, isfolded like a grocery bag is folded.

Another aspect of the present invention is a garbage container whichincludes a front panel where text, such as a logo or a multi-lingualmessage, can be printed. For example, the text could be used as anadvertising means.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is an attaching memberproviding means to secure the plurality of liners to the supportstructure. It can be appreciated that the attaching member could becomprised of one of many devices, such as a staple, adhesive, tape, orthe like.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support structure and liners are chosento be of a recyclable grade, such as cardboard and biodegradable bags.Upon use of such materials, the present invention is environmentallyfriendly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details are explained below with the help of the examplesillustrated in the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a garbage container inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of the garbage container,illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of an area of detail of thegarbage container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents a top view of the garbage container, illustrated inFIG. 1, positioned in the compact storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers generallyindicate corresponding elements through out the several views. Referenceto various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, whichis limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the claimed invention.

The present invention provides a garbage container that is convenient touse, disposable, and includes a surface on which to print text, such asa logo. A plurality of liners, which are layered one upon another in anopen and ready to use position are attached to and supported by asupport structure. Prior to use, the garbage container and associatedliners are folded or collapsed into a shipping position. This allowsmultiple collapsed garbage containers to be compactly and efficientlyshipped in bulk or individually moved to desired locations of use. Afterbeing unfolded to a collecting position and a top liner is filled withgarbage, the top liner can be removed to expose a next top liner. Uponusing the entire plurality of liners, the entire garbage container canbe collapsed or folded into a disposal/recycling position. Thedisposal/recycling position is more compact than the shipping position,as the plurality of liners is no longer contained inside the supportstructure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 one possible embodiment of a disposablegarbage container 50, associated support structure 51, and plurality ofgarbage liners 64 are illustrated. It can be appreciated that thesupport structure 51 can be constructed in a variety of satisfactoryways. The support structure 51 includes a sidewall and a bottom panel57. In an exemplary embodiment the sidewall includes a front panel 54, aback panel 55, and a pair of side panels 60, 61. The sidewall isattached perpendicularly to the bottom panel 57. The top is open, butcould include a closure. The panels are joined to each other to form thesupport structure 51 that supports a plurality of garbage liners 64 tobe later described.

Although a particular structure for garbage collection is illustrated inthe exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments a support structure 51 ofanother configuration for defining a suitable garbage container 50 maybe used. For example, the support structure may be comprised of adifferent number of panels forming, for example, a cylinder (one panel)or an octagon (eight panels). In one possible embodiment, each of thepanels comprising the sidewall may be formed of one piece of materialwith folds defining the junction between panels. Similarly, in anotherpossible embodiment, the bottom panel 57 can be formed of a common pieceof material with the sidewall, with folds defining the junction betweenthe bottom panel 57 and the sidewall. It can be appreciated that a seammay be positioned in an appropriate location, for example only, on theback panel 55, so as not to impede the folding of the garbage containeror interfere with text 65 provided on the front panel 54.

In one possible embodiment, each side panel 60, 61 includes a fold line58 positioned longitudinally along a center axis of each side panel 60,61. The bottom panel 57 includes a fold line 56 running lengthwise downthe center of the panel 57, as well as two “V” fold lines 59 provided oneach end of the panel 57.

Referring to FIG. 4, the fold lines provide a means to collapse thegarbage container 50 into a compact storage position. In one possibleembodiment, bottom panel 57 fold lines 56, 59 and side panel 60, 61 foldlines 58 are pressed in towards an inner cavity of the support structure51, providing for the front panel 54 and back panel 55 to move towardseach other. When collapsed, the garbage container 50, and associatedplurality of liners 64, can easily and efficiently be transported, forexample, to a point of sale or to a user location. Similarly, thecompact storage position is beneficial when disposing and/or recyclingthe garbage container after use. It can be appreciated that fold linesof a different shape and position may similarly provide for easy foldinginto the compact storage position.

For example, in one possible embodiment, bottom panel 57 is comprised ofmultiple panels fitted together to form a base of the garbage container50. In yet another possible embodiment, the bottom panel 57 can becoated with a nonabsorbent substance providing a backup liquid barrierto deter fluid leakage from the container.

The shape and dimensions of the support structure 51 can vary dependingon the desired garbage volume. For example, a smaller volume garbagecontainer 50 may be desired for a household or hotel environment,whereas a larger volume garbage container 50 may be required for outdooryard waste or events.

In one possible embodiment, the support structure 51 is comprised of acorrugated material such as cardboard. The cardboard can be a recyclablegrade of cardboard.

Text 65 is provided on an outer surface of the sidewall, for example thefront panel 54. The text 65 could be either printed directly on thesupport structure 51 or may be printed on a label, the label beingdirectly applied to the sidewall. It can be appreciated that the text 65could fulfill a variety of purposes. The text 65 could include, forexample only, a company logo, an advertisement, garbage contents (i.e.CANS ONLY), or multi-lingual directions.

A plurality of garbage liners 64 are attached to the support structure51, by at least one attaching means 62, in a layered, opened, ready foruse, position. For example, the liners are attached to the side panels60, 61 by attaching means 62, 63. A sufficient number of garbage liners64 are attached within the support structure 51 to last for the durationof an event or a certain number of days. For example, 14 liners may beprovided to allow the container to be used for two weeks, assuming dailyremoval of one liner. In one possible embodiment, a custom number ofgarbage liners 64 are provided based on a request by the user. Forexample, a user may request 5 garbage liners 64 to be provided withinthe support structure 51, based on an event requiring only 5 garbageliners 64 to be filled and subsequently removed.

In one possible embodiment, the plurality of garbage liners 64 includedifferent colors in order to notify the user that the supply of garbageliners 64 are running low. For example, the last 2 or 3 garbage liners64 may be a bright red color, while the balance of the plurality ofliners 64 are white.

The plurality of liners 64 can comprise a biodegradable material toenable recycling.

In one possible embodiment, the attaching means 62, 63 is comprised ofat least one heavy-duty staple provided on each side panel 60, 61,securing the plurality of liners 64 to an upper portion of the supportstructure 51. In one possible embodiment, the liners 64 are folded overa top edge 52 of the support structure 51. In another possibleembodiment, the attaching means 62, 63 is comprised of an adhesive. Inanother possible embodiment, the attaching means 62, 63 is comprised ofmultiple pieces of adhesive tape which individually secures each linerof the plurality of liners 64 to an outer surface of the supportstructure 51. In yet another embodiment, the attaching means 62 iscomprised of a rubber-band sized to fit around the outer perimeter ofthe support structure.

A method of garbage removal including the use of the disposable garbagecontainer 50 includes unfolding the disposable garbage container 50 froma collapsed shipping position and positioning the garbage container 50into an un-collapsed or collecting position, where the front 54, back55, bottom 57, and side 60, 61 panels define an interior volume. Withreference to FIG. 2, after filling the top liner 66 with garbage, thetop liner 66 can be torn from the attaching members 62, 63 and removed,thereby exposing the next top liner. This process is repeated for theremaining liners. Upon removing the last top liner 66, the disposablegarbage container 50 can be folded or collapsed back into adisposal/recycling position, as shown in FIG. 4, for removal andsubsequent recycling.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention.Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modificationsand changes that may be made to the present invention without followingthe example embodiments and applications illustrated and describedherein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

1. A disposable garbage container comprising: a support structureincluding a sidewall and a bottom panel, the sidewall including a loweredge and an upper edge, and where the lower edge is attached to thebottom panel; a plurality of liners; and at least one attaching membersecuring the plurality of liners to the support structure proximate tothe upper edge of the support structure.
 2. The disposable garbagecontainer of claim 1,. wherein the support structure is comprised of acorrugated material.
 3. The disposable garbage container of claim 1,wherein the support structure and the plurality of liners are comprisedof recyclable materials.
 4. The disposable garbage container of claim 2,wherein the corrugated material comprises cardboard.
 5. The disposablegarbage container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes: a frontpanel and a back panel; and a first side panel and a second side panel;wherein the bottom panel and the first and second side panels eachincludes at least one fold.
 6. The disposable garbage container of claim5, wherein the plurality of liners extend over the upper edge of thesidewall and are secured to the first and second side panels by a firstand second attaching member respectively.
 7. The disposable garbagecontainer of claim 6, wherein the folds are configured to be pushedtowards an interior of the support structure.
 8. The disposable garbagecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container includes a collapsedposition and an expanded position.
 9. A disposable garbage container,comprising: a support structure including a sidewall and a bottom panel,the sidewall including a lower edge and an upper edge, and where thelower edge is attached to the bottom panel, and wherein the sidewall andthe bottom panel are configured to allow the support structure to movebetween a collapsed position where the container is not intended toreceive garbage and an expanded position where the container defines aninterior volume; and a plurality of liners secured to the supportstructure proximate to the upper edge of the support structure anddisposed within the support structure, the liners being layered one ontop of the other, wherein when the support structure is at the expandedposition, at least an uppermost one of the liners is opened and ready toreceive garbage.
 10. The disposable garbage container of claim 9,wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of panels.
 11. The disposablegarbage container of claim 9, wherein the support structure is comprisedof a corrugated material.
 12. The disposable garbage container of claim9, wherein the support structure and the plurality of liners arecomprised of recyclable materials.
 13. The disposable garbage containerof claim 11, wherein the corrugated material comprises cardboard.
 14. Amethod of garbage removal comprising: providing a disposable garbagecontainer that includes a support structure having a sidewall and abottom panel, the sidewall including a lower edge and an upper edge, andwhere the lower edge is attached to the bottom panel; a plurality ofliners, and at least one attaching member securing the plurality ofliners to the support structure proximate to the upper edge of thesupport structure, wherein the disposable garbage container is providedin a collapsed position; expanding the disposable garbage container intoa collecting position; inserting garbage into an uppermost liner withinthe support structure; when a sufficient amount of garbage has beeninserted into the uppermost liner, removing the uppermost liner from thesupport structure thereby exposing a next uppermost liner; and uponremoving the last liner, collapsing the disposable garbage containerinto a collapsed position.